Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon 1

Scripture Light the Most Sure Light · Sermon 1

p. 1SCRIPTURE-LIGHT, The moſt Sure LIGHT.

Sermon I.

2 PET. 1.19.

We have alſo a more ſure Word of Propheſie, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that ſhineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-ſtar ariſe in your hearts.

IN theſe words, ye have an Exhortation to a great Duty, Viz. Attention, or taking heed to the Word of God, in dark, and dangerous Times, and Places. The Duty is commanded, and commended; Ye do well that ye take heed, foreign, ye do well, or beautifully; this is your Chriſtian Beauty, and Comlineſs in the Eyes of God. Now this Duty is urged, and amplified; urged by divers Arguments; ſome taken from the excellency of the Word it ſelf. Firſt, It is foreign, a Word of Propheſie, or a Prophetical Word, written by Divine Inſpiration; the ſame that is ſpoken of in verſe 20. called Propheſie p. 4of Scripture. Secondly, It is foreign, a more ſure Word: Some think the Comparative, is put for the Superlative; as Acts, 25.10. foreign, as thou very wel (or beſt) knoweſt; But I take it rather to be meant Comparatively; for the Word of God written, is ſurer than that Voyce which they heard in the Mount (whereof he ſpake in the former Verſe) More ſure is the Word written, than that Voyce of Revelation; not ratione veritatis, not in regard of the Truth uttered, for that Voyce was as true as any word in the Scripture; but more ſure, ratione manifeſtationis, more certain, ſetled, and eſtabliſhed. Secondly: Some Arguments are taken from the uſefulneſs of the Word to us; for it is as a light ſhining in a dark place; and therefore it is good for us to take heed thereunto: But how long muſt we take heed to it? even as long as we live, and whilſt we are in the dark eſpecially, even till the day dawn, and the Sun ſhine in his ful ſtrength and brightneſs in your hearts; which is the Second thing, whereby this Duty is amplified.

1Some think that is to be underſtood of a Supernatural Revelation, and Light, which God doth ſet up in the Soul; which when a man hath obtained, then he is to take heed to the written Word no longer: But that cannot be: 1. Becauſe the Apoſtle doth here prefer the written Word before a Revelation from Heaven: Now if he do prefer it before a Divine Revelation, then it is not to give place to the dawning of ſome ſpecial Light, and Revelation in the Heart; for then he ſhould deſtroy in the latter part of the Verſe, what he had affirmed, and built up in the former part. 2. One Scripture is to be explained by another; but Eſai. 3.20. the Lord ſaith, To the Law, and to the Teſtimony, if they speak not according to this Word, it is becauſe there is no Light, or morning in them. If therefore, any man do pretend Light, or the ſhining of the morning Star in his Soul, ſo as to lay by the Word written, that Light is no true Light; and ſo this Interpretation can be no true Interpretation of theſe words. 3. This Interpretation doth ſuppoſe, that this morning Star did not ſhine in the Apoſtles Time, and that then the Apoſtles, with the Saints of thoſe Times, had not this Light within them; for the Apoſtle ſaith, We have a more ſure Word, and ye do well that ye take heed thereunto. Al the Saints, and People of God then, did walk by, and take heed unto the written Word; yet they had Light within them. This Interpretation therefore, is contrary to the ſence of …he Apoſtle here.

2Others think that theſe Words are ſpoken to the beleeving Jews, in reference to the Prophets of the Old Teſtament: as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay; The glorious Light of the Goſpel hath not yet fully conquered your hearts; and therefore til your Goſpel-Light p. 5be more cleer, you ſhal do wel to take heed to the Prophets of the Old Teſtament, who do al teſtifie with us of Chriſt. But this wil ſeem to argue, That when Goſpel-Light, doth more fully riſe upon us, then we may lay by the Prophets of the Old Teſtament.

3Others think that this day dawning, and the Day-ſtar ariſing, doth note that ful and cleer Viſion of God and Chriſt, which is yet to come. Now, becauſe the whol Earth ſhal be filled with the knowledg of the Lord in the latter daies (in reſpect to which Time, it's promiſed, Revel. 2.28. I will give him the morning-ſtar: and in Chap. 22.16. Chriſt doth appear to the Saints under that Title, ſaying, I am the bright morning-ſtar.)

1Therefore it is conceived by ſome, That the Apoſtle here doth relate to that time, and ſo the ſence of the words ſhould be this: Though now ye be in the dark, yet ye have the Light of the Scripture to walk by; whereto ye ſhal do wel that ye take heed, til ye be brought to, and under a more glorious, and cleer Diſpenſation. But the word uſed for the morning-Star, Revel. 2.22. is not the ſame that is here uſed, and tranſlated the Day-Star.

2The Scripture ſhal not be out of date in the daies of thoſe glorious Times; for the Wals of that City, the New Jeruſalem, which ſhal come down from Heaven, hath twelve Foundations, and in them, the names of the twelve Apoſtles of the Lamb, Revel. 21.14.

3This Interpretation doth ſuppoſe that the morning Star, or the Sun (for ſo the word may be rendred,foreign. Suid. as Suidas ſaith) doth not ſhine in our hearts now, and that it hath not ſhined already, whereas it is ſaid, Luk. 1. concerning Chriſts firſt coming, verſe 78. Whereby the Day-spring from on high, hath viſited us to give light to them that ſit in darkneſs, &c. And the Apoſtle Paul ſaith; the day is far ſpent, and ye are the Children of Light, and of the day. Surely therefore, the day had then dawned in thoſe Times; and therefore theſe words cannot only relate to the glorious Times that are yet to come.

4Others ſay theſe words do relate unto Heavenly Glory, and ſo the meaning of the words ſhould be, That we are to take heed unto the written Word, until we come into Heaven; which thing is true: But where do we find in Scripture, that the Glory of Heaven is ſaid thus to dawn, or ſhine in our hearts? Or that Chriſt is ſaid thus to ſhine in our hearts, in regard of Heavenly Glory?

5Therefore I think the word Ʋntil, is not to be taken excluſively; but as in other Scriptures, Pſal. 110. Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine Enemies thy foot-ſtool. Shal Chriſt ſit on Gods right hand no longer? Shal he not ſit there for ever? Yea, he ſhal ſit there for ever, after al Enemies are ſubdued: But the words ſhew what Chriſt ſhal enjoy, and do, whilſt p. 6the Enemies rage; he ſhal ſit in power, judging on the right hand of God; not that he ſhal not ſit there when they are ſubdued. So here, Ye do well (ſaith the Apoſtle) that ye take heed to the Word, till the day dawn, and the Day-Star ariſe, and ſhine in your hearts; that is, til ye have more cleer Light; not that ye lay by the Word then, but becauſe ye are now in the dark; I'le tel you, ſaies the Apoſtle, what ye ſhal do whilſt ye are in the dark, even take heed to the Word written. And ſo the Doctrine from the whol Verſe, is this:

Doct. Scripture-Light, is our great, and moſt ſure Light, whereunto we ſhall do well that we take heed, and that especially in our dark Times, and Places.

For the opening, and proſecuting whereof, Four things wil fal under your Conſideration.

1. That a good man may be in the dark, in a dark place, ſtate, and condition.

2. Though he be in the dark, yet God hath not left him without Scripture-Light to walk by.

3. This Scripture-Light, is the moſt excellent, ſafe, and ſure Light.

4. It's the Duty of all the Saints to take heed thereunto, and to walk thereby, and that especially in their dark times, and places.

IFirſt: It is poſſible that a good man may be in the dark, on a dark ground, and in a dark condition; yea, poſſibly a man may truly fear the Lord, yet he may walk in the dark, and ſee no light of Comfort; Eſai. 50.10. doth not the Church complain in the Lamentat. ſaying, He hath ſet me in dark places? Chap. 3.6. Was not David in the dark, when he ſaid, The Lord will lighten my darkneſs? 2 Sam. 22.29. Was not Job in the dark, when he ſaid, The Lord hath ſet darkneſs in my paths? Job, 19.8. and when he ſaid, I waited for light, and there came darkneſs? Chap. 30.26. And was not Heman in the dark, when he ſaid, Thou haſt laid me in the loweſt pit in darkneſs? Pſal. 88.6. Yea, was p. 7not Chriſt himſelf in the dark, when the hour, and power of darkneſs came upon him? Luk. 22.53. Surely therefore, it is poſſible that a good man may be in the dark, upon dark ground, and in a dark Condition; and it muſt needs be ſo: For,

1A good man may live, and dwel in a Place, or Town, where no means of Grace are; in a poor, dark, and ignorant corner of the World. Did not Job dwel in the Land of Ʋz? And when David thirſted after Ordinances, ſaying, My ſoul thirſteth after thee, O God, to ſee thy Power, and thy Glory, ſo as I have ſeen thee in the Sanctuary, Pſal. 63.1, 2. was he not then in ſuch a dark corner as I now ſpeak of? The Title of the Pſalm tels us, that he was in the Wilderneſs of Judah: and if ye look into 1 Sam. 26. ye ſhal find him complaining thus: They have driven me out this day from abiding in the Inheritance of the Lord, ſaying, Go ſerve other gods, verſe 10. Such a dark place, was Capernaum, and Galilee, by the way of the Sea, Galilee of the Gentiles, where Matth. 4.16. it's ſaid, The People ſate in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of death; yet here did Peter, and Andrew dwel, when our Savior called them to follow him; there did James, and John dwel likewiſe: And as a wicked man may live under the means, and the light ſhine on him, though he comprehends it not; ſo it may be the lot, and portion of a good man, to live, and dwel, and be in a Town, or Place, or Pariſh, where there is no Means, and no Light ſhining.

2As he may live, and dwel in ſuch a place as this; ſo he may be in ſome great Affliction, and Perſecution; for the dark places of the Earth, are ful of the habitations of Couelty: Perſecuting Times, are dark Times. When do Beaſts go forth to their Prey, but in the night? And when are Theeves bold, but in the night? In times of Perſecution, the Enemies of Gods People are very bold, and thoſe Beaſts do go forth to their Prey. Surely therefore, this Time is a dark time with the Saints.

3If a good man may be in ſuch ſtreights, as for the preſent he doth not ſee his way before him; then he may be in the dark. Thus it was with Joſeph, when Mary was firſt with Child; he did not know what to do in the caſe, til the Angel of the Lord appeared to him. Thus it was with David often, eſpecially at Keilah, when he went down to Ach…ſh; feigned himſelf mad, changing his behavior; and at Ziklag, when his Wives and Goods were taken from him, and his men thought of ſtoning him. John, 12.35. He that wa…keth in darkneſs, knows not whither he goes (ſaith our Savior) And when a man is in ſuch ſtreights, as that he doth not ſee his way, then he is in the dark indeed.

4A good man may be much offended: Times of Offences, are dark Times; He that walketh in darkneſs, ſtumbleth: and ſo p. 8much as I do take offence, and am ſtumbled, ſo much I am in the dark. Now poſſibly a good man, may be much offended, and ſtumbled; though he be not offended at the good Way of God, and Power of Godlineſs, nor at al the Saints, yet he may be under much offence: All you ſhall be offended (ſaith our Savior to his Diſciples) becauſe of me. And if a good man may be offended, then he may be in the dark, on a dark ground, and in a dark Condition.

5As a good man may be offended, and ſtumbled; ſo he may ſtumble into ſome miſtakes, and errors; Erroneous times, are dark times: every Error is Darkneſs, as Truth is Light. Now a good man may err; for though he doth ſee much when his eyes are opened in his firſt Converſion, yet every man doth not ſee all things; two, or three, or four may ſee, and have their Eyes open; yet one may ſee further than another. God hath ſeveral Truths for ſeveral Ages, and Generations: As in a great Houſe, there are Hangings for every Room; and the Hangings of this Room, are not fit for that; and the Hangings of that, are not fit for another: So God hath ſeveral Hangings of Truth, to furniſh ſeveral Generations; and thoſe that are fit for this, are not fit for that: Nonnulla video non viſa beato Auguſtino (ſaies Luther) et rurſum multa viſuros ſcio, quae ipſe ego non video: I ſee many things (ſaid he) that were not ſeen to Auſtin; and thoſe that come after me, ſhal ſee thoſe things that I ſee not. O! ſaith Auſtin, There is ſuch a depth in Scripture, that I do multo plura neſcire quam ſcire, that I am ignorant of more things than I know. Ye ſee how it is in a Room where there are many Pictures; though ye ſee ſome of them preſently, yet others have a ſilken Curtain drawn before them, which ye ſee not immediately. So here; though God do reveal much unto you, yet there is a ſilken Curtain that is ſtil drawn before ſome Truths, and therefore even a good man may be much miſtaken. The Lord hath hid this thing from me, 2 Kings, 4.27.ſaid Eliſha. And when David told Nathan that it was in his heart to build an Houſe unto God; Go (ſaid Nathan to him) and do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee: yet Nathan, though a Prophet, was miſtaken, and in an Error: for the ſame night, the Lord appeared to him, and told that this Work was reſerved for another, not for David. Poſſibly therefore a good man may miſtake, even in the things of God, and ſo be in the dark.

6If a good man may be engaged in ſome diviſion, and diſſention; then he may be in the dark: Dividing times, are dark times; and poſſibly a great diviſion, and diſſention, may fal amongſt good men. So great and ſharp a diviſion fel between Paul, and Barnabas, that they forſook one another. I read of two good men p. 9(whom Epiphanius makes mention of) that were fellow-Sufferers for the Chriſtian Faith;foreign. and being condemned, and ſent to work in the Mettal Mines, there fel ſo great a difference between them, that they drew a partition wal between them in the Mine, and would not hold communion each with other, in the Service of Chriſt, for which they both ſuffered. Cyprian doth impute the great Sufferings, and Perſecutions of the Primitive Times, unto the diſcord,Epiſt. 4. Lib. 4. and diſſention of brethren: Im… vero nec veniſſent fratribus haec mala ſi in umon fratern…tas eſſet animata, ſaith he.Cupio ex hac vita mig…are ut liberater ab imm…nibus et implacabilibus odiis Theologorum. Melanch. St. igellius M…c. Adam. Et vidi mare vitreum mixtum igni. Apoc. 15.2. Quid autem aliud ignis deſignet, atque ferventes lites et contentiones flagrantes odiis! ignem veni miſſurus in tertam inquit Chriſtus, &c. Hujuſmodi ignis vagatur per totam Reformatam Eccleſiam quae vel abſ. mit plurimos vel moleſta eſt reliquis dum reſtinguere nituntur. Brightm. in Apoc. 15. 404.Rev 15:2Rev 15 Ye have heard of the difference between Chryſoſtom, and Epiphanius; and of that between Jerom, and Ruffinus; and of that between Ridley, and Hooper. In Luthers time, the Conteſt was ſo hot, and great, and violent between him with his Party, and Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, and others, that though they met together with divers Princes for Reconciliation, and they did at that Meeting draw up ſeveral Articles of Faith, wherein they did all agree, and whereto they did all ſubſcribe; yet Luther would not cal the Calviniſts, Brethren. And in theſe Daies of ours, what ſcuffling is there between Brethren, fighting one with another? Why? but becauſe they are in the dark? If Brethren fight, and ſcuffle one with another, who wil not ſay they are in the dark?

7A good man may be under ſome Deſertion. God may withdraw from him, and when God withdraws, then he is in the dark. Deſertion Time, is a dark Time; and ſuch a Cloud as this, may go over the heads of the beſt. Surely therefore it is poſſible, that a very good man may be much in the dark.

8And if a good man may be under ſome Temptation, and Sin, then he may be in the dark: Temptation time, is a dark time. When a man cannot ſee his own hand, though he lift it up before his Eyes, then he is in the dark indeed. Now poſſibly, a good man may be in ſuch a Temptation, that he ſhal not be able to ſee the lifting up of his own hand in prayer, ſaying, I go to prayer, but I cannot pray at al; and that which I do perform, it is no Duty. Somtimes it is ſo with him, that he cannot read his own Graces, nor ſee them. Though the Fiſh lie playing upon the Water, and you may ſee them in a fair Sun-ſhine; yet in a ſtorm, or night, ye ſee them not, though they be in the Pond, or River ſtil. So here, though when the Light of Gods Countenance doth ſhine upon the Soul, he is then able to ſee, and read his own Graces; yet if it be a p. 10ſtorm, or the night of Temptation, he cannot ſee them; Why? not becauſe they are not in his heart, & life as before; but becauſe he is in the dark. Poſſibly therefore, a good man may be in the dark, upon a dark ground, and in a dark condition. That's the firſt thing.

IISecondly: Though a good man may be in the dark; yet he hath Scripture-Light to walk by; God hath not left him comfortleſs, and without Light, in obſcure darkneſs, as the wicked are; but he hath Light within him, and that great Light of the written Word without, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, (ſaith the Apoſtle) as unto a light ſhining in a dark place. This Scripture-Light he hath alwaies by him; To the Law, and to the Teſtimonies, ſaith the Prophet Iſaiah, chap. 8. if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no Light in them: 'tis a dark time, which …he Prophet ſpeaks of; For many ſhal ſtumble, and fal, and be broken, and be ſhared, and be taken, verſe 15. The Lord hideth his face from the houſe of Jacob, verſe 17. Behold I, and the Children whom the Lord h…th given me, are for ſigns and wonders in Iſrael, verſe 18. And they ſhall look unto the Earth, and behold trouble, and darkneſs, dimneſs of anguiſh, and they ſhall be driven to darkneſs, verſe 22. yet in this time they have the Law, and the Teſtimony, that great Scripture-Light to walk by.

Queſt. But have not even wicked men, this Light alſo, of the Scripture, to walk by in their darkneſs?

Anſw. They have it as a blind man hath the Sun: The Sun is in the Firmament, over the head of a blind man, yet it's no light to him. So here.

And though a wicked man doth hear, and may read the Scripture, and know many Truths which are therein contained; yet he doth not know the greatneſs of them: A man may know, and ſay, this is the Sun, and this is the light thereof; yet not know the greatneſs of the Sun, & that it is abundantly bigger than the Earth. So a wicked man may, and doth know many Truths, but he doth not ſee, and know the greatneſs of Truths; for he prizeth other things of the World above them. A good man knows the Truths of the Goſpel, and he ſees the greatneſs of them, for he leaves all to follow them.

Duplex eſt cognitio rei diſciplinaris et intuitiva, diſciplinaris eſt per audium et narrationem ſo…um intuitiva eſt illa quam ex te preſenti et ſenſu percepta manantem habemus illam infideles et impii multi aſſi quuntur in ipſis fidei myſte…is hanc v…o minime, foreign. 2 Pet. 1.9. Am…ſ. de Lumine Naturae et gratiae.2 Pet 1:9And though a wicked man may have his Eyes open to ſee man… Truths of the Scriptures; yet in ſeeing he doth not ſee the ſame: for as a good man may know Natural things in a Spiritual way; ſo he doth know Spiritual things in a Natural way. A p. 11good man ſeeth the things themſelves that are contained in the Scripture; and therefore it is that the knowledg of Chriſt, is called Chriſt, T…ll Chriſt be formed in you, ſaith the Apoſtle; that is, til the knowledg of Chriſt be formed: The thing is put for the knowledg of it, Why? Becauſe in knowing, the Saints know the things themſelves. Wicked men know, and have the notion of them: for there is a knowledg of things in the notion of them, which wicked men may have: and there is a knowledg of the things themſelves, which the Saints, and People of God have.

But may not a good mans Eyes, Queſt. be held from this Scripture-Light?

Anſw. 1 Yes, in ſomethings: But though his Eyes be held, it is only quo ad hoc, as to this, or that Truth in particular. When he is converted, and brought home to G…d, th…n are his eyes ſaid to be opened, then is he …nointed with the Unction of the Holy One, and doth know al things neceſſary unto his Salvation: yet as Hagars eyes, though open, were held th…m ſeeing the Fountain of Water that was by her, when ſhe ſaid, I will not ſee the death of my Child; ſo a good mans ey…s may be open, yet they may be held quo ad hoc, as to this, or that Truth, or way; but though they be held, yet I ſay it is but quo ad hoc, not in regard of all.

2Though a good mans eyes may beheld from ſome part of this Scripture-Light; yet if he be in health, and not under ſome Temptation, and Spiritual ſickneſs; he doth not ſhut his own Eyes againſt any Scripture-Light. A ſick man wil not endure the opening of the Window, or Caſe yea: but if a man be in health, Set open the Window (ſaith he) that light may come in, though ſome ſmoak do come in withal; I'le venture, and hazard the ſmoak, for light I muſt have, and I cannot be without it. So, if a man be in health for his …oul, he cal for the opening of the Windows: poſſibly ſome Errors, and Smoak, may come in with Light and Truth; yet ſet the Windows open, ſaith he: But i… ſickly, and weak, he is ſo afraid of Errors, and Smoak, that he dares not endure the means of further Light, but even turns his back, and ſhuts his Eyes againſt ſome Scripture-Light; but a good man in health, doth not ſo.

3Though a good mans Eyes, may be held from ſome Scripture-Light, and Truth, inſomuch as he may be in the darkneſs or ſome ignorance, yet he knows more than he is able to utter, and he p. 12feels more than he can ſpeak: A knowing, learned man, it may be, can utter more of the Scripture, than he feels; but a good man, feels more than he can utter.

4And though ſome Scripture Truths, may be hidden from him ſomtimes; yet he hath his intervals of light. As with a man in travel; When he comes upon ſuch, or ſuch an Hill, or Mountain, he ſees the Steeples, and Pinacles of the Town, which he is going to; then he comes into a Valley, and he loſeth the ſight of them again; then he comes again to another Hill, and then he ſees them again. So in our Journey, or travel to Heaven; we ſee ſuch and ſuch Truths to day, then we come into a Valley, and we loſe the ſight of them; then God raiſes our hearts again, and we ſee them again. Thus the Saints have their intervals of ſight.

5And though a good man may be in the dark, yet God doth not leave him ſo: as it is in the darkneſs of Fears, ſo in al other darkneſs. Matth. 28. ye read that when Chriſt roſe from the dead, the ſtone was rowled away from the Sepulchre, and they that were about it, were in great fear: There were keepers of the Sepulchre, whom the Jews had ſet to watch the ſame; and there were the Godly women, waiting for the Reſurrection: both were in fear, and in great fear: But the Angel appears to Mary, and the good women, ſaying, Fear not ye; ye ſeek Jeſus, he is riſen, he is not here, fear not ye: he did not ſay ſo to the wicked Soldiers, that kept, and watched the Sepulchre; they feared, and he left them in their fears, and in their dark Condition: but the good women feared, and were in a dark Condition; but the Lord did not leave them in it, but gave them Scripture-Light to comfort them; he is riſen, as he ſaid. So that a good man may be in the dark, yet God will not leave him in his Darkneſs; but even then he hath a Light, and a ſure Light to walk by. And that's the Second thing.

IIIThirdly: This Scripture-Light, is the moſt excellent, ſafe, and ſure Light: It is the Light of Lights; the moſt excellent Light of al, under God in Chriſt. For,

1It is a true Light. There are many falſe Lights in the World; but Scripture Light is the true Light. The proper work of Light, is to make manifeſt; They will not come to the Light (ſaith our Savior) leſt their deeds be made manifeſt. Now the Light of the Scripture, doth manifeſt things unto us; it is (by James) compared to a Looking-glaſs. When ye look upon a Looking-glaſs, ye ſee three things; the Glaſs, your ſelf, and al the other things, Perſons, Stools, or Pictures, that are in the Room. So in looking in the Scripture, this great Looking-glaſs, ye ſee the Truths that are therein contained, concerning God, and Chriſt; there is God p. 13ſeen eſpecially, and Chriſt ſeen; there alſo you ſee your ſelf, and your own dirty face; there alſo you ſee the Creatures that are in the room with you, and their emptineſs, the emptineſs of men, and of al comforts, and Relations. This is that manifeſting Light under Chriſt, that is true Light indeed.

2As it is a true Light, ſo it is an admirable, and wonderful Light; for there are the wonderful things of Gods Law: whereupon David prayed, Open thou mine eyes, that I may ſee the wonderful things of thy Law: There is the Light of Chriſt, who is called a marvelous Light; and the more ye look into the Scripture, and know, the more ye wil admire: In other Knowledges, the more ye know, the leſs ye admire; Amor noti, admiratio ignoti: but in Scripture Knowledg, the more Light ye have, and the more ye know, the more you wil lift up your hands, and admire at your own Ignorance, and at Gods Grace. It is a moſt admirable Light.

3As it is an admirable Light, ſo it is a ſafe, and a ſure Light. Other falſe Lights, do lead men into Fens, and Bogs; but we have a more ſure, and ſafe Light; and the more of it fals upon your Eye, the more is your Eye preſerved: 'Tis not ſo with outward Lights; Vehemens ſenſiblle deſtruit ſenſorium: Your Eye is able to bear a moderate Light; but if the Light be vehement, your ſence is not able to bear it, but is deſtroyed by it: not ſo with this Scripture-Light, the ſtronger, and more vehement it is, the more it doth perfect the Eye of your Soul; it's not deſtructive, but it's perfective Light. Upon which account, Auſtin prayed to God, Sint ſacrae Scripturae tuae deliciae meae in quibus nec fallere poſſum nec fulli; O Lord (ſaid he) let thy Holy Scriptures be my delights, by which, I can neither deceive, nor be deceived. This is that ſafe, and ſure Light indeed.

4As it is a ſafe, and ſure Light; ſo it is a pleaſant, and ſatisfying Light. Light is pleaſant to the Eye, and the Eye ordinarily is not ſatisfied with ſeeing; but this is that light which doth bring men to reſt: for when a man knows what ſhal be his Portion for ever, then his heart is at reſt, and not before. Now it is only the Scripture, and the Light thereof, which under Chriſt, doth diſcover, and manifeſt that unto men; Stand in the old, and good way (ſaith the Prophet) and ye ſhall find reſt. That way, is this Scripture way: if a man once depart from the Scripture, he runs from one Error to another, and he reſts not; but here is reſt to be found. This is that ſatisfying Light, which doth bring unto reſt.

5As it is a pleaſant, ſatisfying Light; ſo it is a ful, and ſufficient Light, able to make the man of God perfect unto Salvation: The Law of the Lord is perfect, Pſal. 19. and it makes perfect, elſe it were no Rule of Life: for as Auſtin ſpeaks, the Regula muſt p. 14be Regulato ſuo adaequata. Surely therefore it is ſufficient, to adminiſter help unto al Conditions: It's a Lanthorn to our ſeet; whatever ground our feet are on, or in what dark place ſoever, this Light can find them out. What ſtate can you be in, but the Scripture wil find a Commandement for your Rule, and a Promiſe for your aſſiſtance and reward: It is able to reach unto al cond tions; for it is a ful, and ſufficient Light.

6As it is a ful, and ſufficient Ligh…; ſo it is a cle…r Light, a Light that ſhineth; it hath no Thief in it, as many Lights, and Candles have; not that there are no hard things therein, and difficulties; where is the man that ever was able to untie al the knots and difficulties of Scripture?Paſſimur apertis exercemur obſcutis, illie fames pellitur hic faſtidium. Auſtin. Pauls Epiſtles have their hard things to be underſtood, even in the Eyes of Peter, Epiſt. 2. Chap. 3. Verſe 16. Yet what Truth is in all the Scripture, which is neceſſary to Salvation, but doth he plain and cleer? For this Commandement which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it afar off: It is not in Heaven, &c. Nor is it beyond the Sea, &c. But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayeſt do it, Deut. 30.11, 12, 13, 14. Rom. 10.6. &c. Ʋnto you it is given (ſaith Chriſt to his Diſciples) to know the myſteries of the Kingdom. If the Goſpel be hid, it is hid unto them that periſh; but we have the mind of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 2.16. Surely therefore this Light is a cleer, and a ſhining Light.

7As it is a cleer Light, ſo it is the beſt Light in the World, the moſt excellent Light, a Light beyond al other things which do pretend to Light. Seven or eight things there are, in theſe Times, which men do cry up as great Lights, whereby many do profeſs to walk: And thoſe are, 1. Revelations, or Viſions. 2. Dreams. 3. Impreſſions made upon the heart, with, or without a Word. 4. Experience. 5. The Law and Light within. 6. Providence. 7. Reaſon. 8. Judicial Aſtrology. But now if you compare theſe Lights with Scripture Light, ye ſhal find, that this is that only Light, which doth exceed them al; and that there is no more Light in them, than what they do borrow from it.

Queſt. Wherein doth this Scripture-Light exceed, or go beyond Revelations, or Viſions, and the Light thereof?

Inſtance I. Anſw. 1.This Scripture-Light, as you have ſeen, is a ful Light, a Light which did …hine forth at once, in, and by Jeſus Chriſt. Revelations and Viſions, are more particular; though God did ſomtimes ſpeak in that way and manner, yet then he ſpake drop by drop, guttatim: but now he hath in theſe laſt daies, ſpoken his ful mind by his Son: Theſe were but as the Apples which did fal from the p. 15Tree of Wiſdom; but in the Goſpel, and Scripture, ye have the whol-Tree i… ſelf: Look therefore what difference there is between the Tree, and ſome particular Apple that doth fal from it, ſo great a difference there is between th…s, and thoſe.

2Scripture-Light, is the higheſt Light; Scripture Diſpenſation, the higheſt Diſpenſation: The Diſpenſation of Viſions, and Revelations, was of a lower rank. When the People of God were in their Infancy, they were l…d much by Viſions, and Revelations; that being a Diſpenſation which did moſt ſuit with an Infant ſtate. And what is the reaſon that ſo many Chriſtians now, do deſire Viſions, and Revelations, but becauſe they are weak, and upon the return to the Law again? The ſtronger any Chriſtian is, the more he doth walk by Faith; and the more he doth live by Faith, the more he doth chuſe to walk by the Scripture; the written Word of God, the Object of Faith. 'Tis recorded of Luther, That when he had faſted, and prayed a whol day, and then had a Viſion of Chriſt, he cried out, and ſaid, Avoid, avoid, thou confounded Devil, I know no Picture of Chriſt, but the Scripture. Therein is Chriſt liv…ly pictured, deſcribed, and ſet forth before our Eyes: 'Tis not ſo in Revelations, and Viſions.

3This Scripture-Light, is a more ſure, and certain Light: For if God ſhould now ſpeak unto you by Viſions, or Viſional Revelations, how would you know that this were the Voyce of God and not a deluſion of Satan? Would ye know it by the Truth that is ſpoken? how do ye know the Truth, but by Scripture?Ditamus preterea quoniam non eſt humanitus regula generalis, vel ars dabilis ad diſcernendum ſemper et infallibiliter quae verae ſunt et quae falſae aut illuſotiae revelationes. Gerſom. Tract. de diſtinctione verarum et falſar. viſionum. Tom. 1. 175, 176, &c. And who doth not know that the Devil wil ſpeak an hundred Truths, that he may crowd in one Lye amongſt them? Or would ye know that it is a true Revelation, and not an illuſion, by the high things that ſhould be revealed? What greater, higher things, than the things of the Goſpel? theſe are the myſtery of the Kingdom, called the deep things of God; and ſaies the Apoſtle Paul, I fear, leſt by any means, as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his ſubtilty, ſo your minds ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. And how did Satan beguile Eve, but by perſwading her to high things, that ſhe ſhould be like to God? And thus I fear, many are beguiled even at this day amongſt us. Or would ye know a Revelation of Gods from the deluſion of Satan by the event, in that ſome future thing is revealed to you, which doth fal out accordingly? then read what the Lord ſaies in Deut. 13.1. If there ariſe among you, a Prophet, or a Dreamer of Dreams, and p. 16giveth thee a ſign, Sancti autem viri inter illuſiones atque Revelationes ipſas viſionu… voces aut imagines quodam intimo ſapore diſcernunt ut ſcient vel quid à bono ſpiritu percipiant vel quid ab illuſore patiantur nam ſi erga haec mens caura non fuerit per deceptorem ſpiritum multis ſe vanitatibus immergit, qui nonnunquam ſolet multa predicere, ut ad extremum valeat animam ex una falſitate laqueare. Gregor. Dialo. Lib. 4.or a wonder, and the ſign or wonder come to paſs, ſaying, Let us go ſerve other Gods, which thou haſt not known. Verſe 2. Thou ſhalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet, for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God. God may ſuffer a Revelation to come to paſs, and yet it may not be from the Lord, but to prove you, whether you love him, and wil cleave unto him. Or wil ye know a true Revelation, from a Deluſion, by your Taſt, per ſaporem, which is ſaid to be the way whereby they did know that thing was of God? Then what an uncertainty wil here be, that your whol Salvation ſhal hang upon, and be ruled by your own Taſt. But now the written Word of the Lord is certain, ſure, and ſtedfaſt; Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs, but not one tittle of the Word ſhall paſs: the leaſt apex, and tittle of it, is more eſtabliſhed than the Mountains.

4There is no danger in tending upon, and taking heed to this Scripture-Light. 1. But if men do attend to Revelations, and Viſions, how eaſily may they be drawn to deſpiſe the Scripture, and ſuch as do wait thereon. There were a Generation of men in Luthers daies, that pretended unto great Diſcoveries, and Revelations; men of great Parts, and of high Language; inſomuch as Bucholcerus ſaies of them,Swenckfeldiani ſunt ter miſeri, nec ſe nec alios intelligunt, non ſe que non intelligunt ſe dicere pugnantia non alios idque non tam naturali ſua tarditate ingeniorum quam eo quod tenentur irretiti ſuis quibuſdam enthuſiaſticis laqueis unde ſe extricari ſummam putant impietatem, dementabant multos magnifecis iſtis verbis quae ſemper illis in ore Illuminatio, Revelatio, Deificatio hominis interiotis et ſpiritualis, &c. Scultet. Anual. an. 1525. pag. 269, 270. That they neither underſtood themſelves, nor others; nor others them; but w…re alwaies ſpeaking of Revelations, Viſions, Deifications, &c. As for other men that kept cloſe to the Scripture, they called them Vocabuliſts, Literaliſts, Grammatiſts, and Creaturiſts. And ſo now it wil be alſo, if men once do attend, and take heed unto Viſions, they wil eaſily deſpiſe the Scriptures, and ſuch as do take heed thereto. Yea, 2. And if men do attend to theſe Viſions, and Revelations, how eaſily may they be drawn into Popery, and Superſtition? How did Mahomet ſet up his Alcoran, but by perſwading the People to attend unto Revelation? And how did the Papiſts ſo much prevail upon the Nations of the World, but by their Viſions, and Revelations? Search the Stories, and you ſhal find, that both the Turkiſh Alcoran, and the Popiſh Religion, had their Foundations here: And if Luther p. 17had hearkened to Revelations and Viſions, and not kept cloſe to the Scripture, what had become of his Reformation? Nay, but ſaies he, Pactum feci cum Domino Deo meo, &c. I have made a Covenant with the Lord my God, that he may not ſend me Viſions, or Dreams, or Angels; Contentus enim ſum hoc dono, quod habeam Scripturam: I am content with this Gift, That I have the Scripture, which doth abundantly teach, and ſupply al thoſe things that are neceſſary for this Life, and for the future. Yea, 3. If a man do once come to attend, and take heed unto Viſions, and Revelations, how eaſily may he ſlide, and depart into Atheiſm? for what difference is there between an Atheiſt, or a Pagan Infidel, and a Chriſtian, but only this, That the Chriſtian is for the Scripture, and doth adhere to that, the other not? Take away the Scripture from me, and there wil be little difference between me, and an Infidel. But now the more a man doth attend unto Viſions, the more his heart and hands wil be looſed from the Scripture Surely therefore, there is a danger in this; but Scripture-Light, is a ſure, and a ſafe Light.

Why but (you wil ſay) may not God ſpeak by extraordinary Viſions, and Revelations, in theſe daies of ours? Queſt.

Anſw. Yes, without al doubt he may: God is not to be limited, he may ſpeak in what way he pleaſe. If God wil, he may ſay to a man, as he ſaid to Abraham; Go and offer up thy Son Iſaac to me: but is not that Commandement, Thou ſhalt not kill, a more ſure, and c…rtain Rule for me to walk by? God may, if he wil, ſay to a man as he once ſaid to Hoſea; Go and take thee a Wiſe of Fornications: But is not that Commandement, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery, a more ſure, and certain Word and Rule, for me to walk by? What God may do, I wil not diſpute: he may thus ſpeak to men, if it pleaſe him; yea, and if we may give credit unto known Hiſtories, the Lord hath ſpoken in this way ſomtimes, to ſome of his Servants ſince the Apoſtles Time. Cyprian tels us of Four Revelations, which the Lord gave him, before that Perſecution did come upon them. Mr. Fox in the Book of Martyrs, tels us of many Viſions, which one Gallus a French Martyr had; and of one which Mr. Philpot had, Scultetus alſo, and Sleiden tels us, that God did reveal it to Luther, That there ſhould be no War in Germany whilſt he lived. Yet there is a great deal of difference between Faith in the Promiſe, and a Viſion, or R…velation. Poſſibly then, the Lord may ſpeak in ſuch a way as this is, to ſome of his Servants. But now (that you may have a Loundary in this Matter.)

1Though God may thus ſpeak to ſome of his Servants, yet if I p. 18have an itching deſire after Viſions, and Revelations, it's ill: The Lord may work a Miracle, and being wrought, I am bound to receive it; but I may not put God upon the working of a Miracle. So here; if God wil ſpeak in this way to me, he may; but I may not put him on it without Tempting of him; yea, I am to be ſo far from deſiring God to ſpeak in this way of a Viſion, as I am bound rather to be backward to it.Revela iones caute recipiendas. Aluarez de vita ſpirituali de diſcretione ſpirituum. Lib. 5. Cap. 4. For as Alvarez obſerves wel, If a Maſter be abroad in the night, and the Servant be backward to open the door unto him, and to let him in, leſt ſome Thief ſhould counterfeit his Voyce; the Maſter wil not take it il at the Servants hands, that he made him ſtay ſo long before he did open the door, but will rather commend that Servant. So ſaith he; Though a man be backward to receive theſe Revelations; yet knowing what Deceit there is abroad in the World,Alter ſanctorum Patrum dum ſibi daemoni transfiguratus in Chriſtum diceret ego ſum Chriſtus perſonaliter te viſitans qui dignus es, confeſtim clauſit oculos utraque manu vociferans, nolo hic Chriſ…m videre ſatis eſt ipſum in gloria ſi videro. Gerſom. de probatione ſpirituum. God wil not take it ill at his hands, but will commend him for it. An itching deſire after Viſions, argues that a man is not content with the Scripture; and is it not enough for us to ſee Chriſt in Heaven? Gerſom tels us of an Antient Father, who (when the Devil did appear to him in the ſhape and Image of Chriſt, ſaying, I am come in perſon to viſit thee, for thou art worthy) did with both his hands, ſhut his Eyes, ſaying, Nolo hic Chriſtum videre, I wil not ſee Chriſt here, 'tis enough for me that I may ſee him in Heaven.

2Though God may poſſibly ſpeak in this way to ſome of his Servants, yet if the Revelation be contrary to, or diverſe from the Scripture, it is not Gods, but the Devils; for ſaies the Apoſtle, Though we, or an Angel from Heaven, do preach any other Goſpel to you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accurſed, Gal. 1.8. which he repeats again, and therefore good for us to mark again: I ſay now again, If any man preach any other Goſpel unto you, than that which ye have received; let him be accurſed, verſe 9.

3Yea, Though the Revelation, or Viſion, be not contrary to the Scripture; yet if it be brought to try, or confirm the Doctrine of the Goſpel, it is not the Lords; for the Doctrine of the Goſpel is confirmed already, and that ſufficiently. Heb. 2.4. we read indeed, That when Peter was at firſt to go and open a door to the Gentiles, then the Lord did appear to him in way of a Viſion; but after that Truth was confirmed, That the Gentiles ſhould be called, then God appeared no more by Viſion for the confirmation thereof. Now the Doctrines of the Goſpel, are al confirmed by Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt; and therefore if any man have a Revelation to try, or confirm any Goſpel Doctrine, p. 19'tis a deluſion of Satan, not a Revelation of God.

4Though God may ſomtimes lead a man in extraordinary waies, and work by waies and means extraordinary; yet if a mans heart be drawn off from the ordinary Means, by what is extraordinary, it is not right. Mr. Greenham (famous for reſolving Caſes o… Conſcience) being once asked (as his Book tels us) Whet…r there might now be Viſions agreeable to the Word? He ſaid, there might be ſuch extraordinary; but (ſaith he) whoſo is moved with them, and not with the Word, wherewith he is charged to be moved, and is not drawn the more by the Viſion to the true means; that mans Faith is ſuſpitious. And I pray, what is the reaſon why the Lord wil not have us to beleeve the Prophet in D…ut. 13. that doth foretel ſuch things …s do come to paſs? The reaſon is, Becauſe he ſeeks to turn you to oth r gods, whom ye have nor known; and becauſe he hath ſpoken to t…n you from the Lord your God, and from keeping his Commandements. Do I therefore come unto you, and pretend Viſion and Revelations, that I may thereby turn a people from the good Waies and O…d…nces of Chriſt? then I am a Deceiver: And if you receive me, o… the pretended Revelation, you are deceived alſo.

5Though God did ſpeak to his People …od, by Viſions, and Revelations, and thoſe were no …lwa…es examined by the Word written;… yet now the …d ſpeaketh nothing to us in this way, but what he w…l have examined by the Word: for ſaies the Apoſtle, If an Angel from H…aven, … any othe… … spel, than what I have preach…d unto … him be accurſed. Surely therefore, th… … … velations are to come under the examin… … Word, and Goſpel: And therefor… … Revelation that refuſes to be examined by … it is a Thief, and a Robber, an Illuſion o… … Vagrant, and not ſent by God. And … … ture be that only Lydius Lapis; that …, whereby all our Gold is to be tried; that Light, whereby we are to try al our Revelations, and Viſions; then this Scripture-Light, is the more excellent Light in compare with the other.

And thus now I have done with the firſt Thing, which doth pretend to much Light in theſe daies of ours; namely, Viſions, and Revelations. The Second followeth, viz. That of Dreams, and Voyces.